NPC In The News

Breaking Down the MRABA

Wednesday, July 01, 2015

Recruitment is an exciting time, but it is also a thoughtful process to match a potential new member to a sorority. That is why after the final round of recruitment, known as the preference round, women are asked to sign a document called the membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement, or MRABA. The purpose of the MRABA is to ensure your awareness of the commitment you are making when you submit your final selections. The MRABA has six sections. Before you sign the document, a representative of the College Panhellenic Association will go over each section with you. Here is a preview of the sections, so you know what to expect.

I am willing to accept an invitation to membership from any sorority that I list on this agreement.

You should list only the chapters you are willing to join.

I may limit my choices to just one OR list any sorority whose preference-round (last) event I attended, and from which I am willing to accept membership. I realize that by not listing the maximum number of events I attended, I may be limiting my potential to join any other NPC organization during primary recruitment should I not be placed with my choice(s).

You may rank only chapters where you attended preference events. If you went to A and B, C isn't an option. You don't have to rank all the chapters whose preference event you attended, but if you don’t maximize your options, then you may limit your chances for placement.

Once I submit this agreement to the College Panhellenic Association, I cannot change the order of my preferences or add or delete a preference.

Once the form is signed, completed and turned in, you may not alter your selections or the order of the chapters listed.

If I do not receive an invitation to membership from an organization that I have listed, I am eligible for continuous open bidding.

If you don't receive a bid from a chapter that you list, you may join a chapter through continuous open bidding (COB) or informal recruitment. This option is only available if a chapter has an open spot, so not all chapters will participate in COB.

I have the option of not submitting an agreement at this time.

You don't have to submit preferences. This means you will be removed from the recruitment process and will not receive a bid to a member organization.

Once I submit this agreement, I am bound by the National Panhellenic Conference Unanimous Agreements,

which state that if I receive an invitation to membership from a group that I have listed and then do not accept it, I am ineligible to be pledged until the beginning of the next primary membership recruitment period on the same campus.

If you receive a bid from a chapter you list and later choose not to accept the bid or not to be initiated, you may not join another NPC chapter on that campus until the next primary recruitment period, which is approximately one year from when you signed your MRABA. If you are not initiated and transfer schools, you can participate in recruitment at the first opportunity.

The MRABA is a document to help you make the best decision possible. If you have questions, you can talk to the fraternity/ sorority advisor on your campus or a member of the College Panhellenic recruitment team or executive board. These women are always happy to assist potential new members like you.